If you've looked at the latest RV models, you know that many of them have kitchens that rival any posh home kitchen in America. Granite counters, double ovens, dishwashers, and full-size refrigerators are just some of the items you can find popping up in today's RV kitchen. However, if you have yet to commit to the large RV kitchen fad, you'll need to plan ahead when you stock your regular-sized RV kitchen.

If you're an appliance junkie, by all means, bring at least a few you rely on when you RV. A small bread machine and slow cooker are necessities for many; you can prepare some very hearty meals with these appliances while you venture out to enjoy your day. You'll need at least a few cooking and frying pans, a large soup pot, and utensils such as spatulas, spoons and at least one or two sharp knives. A good cutting board is a necessity too. Unless you're planning on whipping up gourmet meals on the road, you don't need all the accessories and appliances you have in your home kitchen, but pay attention to how you like to cook and what you find necessary in your day-to-day cooking routine. Add these indispensable items to your RV kitchen and your tummy will thank you.

Most stovetops and ovens in RVs run on propane, so if you're not used to cooking with gas, you should practice a bit before you head out on the road. Gas ovens don't heat as evenly as electric ovens, so remember to turn your items that are baking at least once during the baking time. After you use your oven a few times you'll learn where the weakest spots are, and where the hot spots are, and you can adjust your timing, turning, and placement according to those spots.

According to many cooks, gas burners are easier to adjust and maintain an even flame. They also heat up faster than many electric burners, so remember this when you use your RV propane stove. Most RV propane stoves are smaller than your home stove as well, so you may need smaller pots to use in your RV kitchen. Some RV refrigerators also run on propane, and if you have an RV propane refrigerator, you'll need to make sure you have enough propane tanks to ensure your food will stay fresh and cold throughout your trip. Running out of propane can be disastrous for your meals, so be sure to plan ahead!

If you love to cook, you can still prepare fabulous meals in your RV kitchen. Just use a few common sense RV cooking tips to create wonderful meals the entire family will love.

Plan Ahead. This is one of the most important elements of RV cooking. You can make sauces, stews, soups, and other side dishes ahead and freeze them, then you just need to warm them up for dinner.

Make mixes ahead of time. If you're going to make bread, measure out all the dry ingredients into a plastic bag, and then simply add the wet ingredients when you're ready to bake. The same goes for pancakes, waffles, breading mixes, and other types of flours and mixes. Measure them out ahead of time, then you only have to mix and cook in the kitchen, and you don't have to carry around all the different ingredients, taking up space in your small RV pantry.

Marinate meats and vegetables ahead of time. You can transport meats and vegetables in their marinades in plastic bags. When you're ready to cook, they're already marinated, which saves you another step along the way.

Plan to grill several meals, or at least grill some of the items on the menu, to help free up space in the kitchen.

Cook pastas and other starches at least part way at home, and then put them in a plastic bag. That way, all you have to do is warm them up, rather than wait for water to boil and cook.

As you travel in your RV, you'll devise your own RV cooking tips to help you save time and energy in your RV kitchen!

Some people don't purchase a built-in microwave when they buy their RV—they just bring along a small traditional countertop model when they travel. However, many people wonder if rough roads and all the jarring and jouncing a microwave receives in the RV is safe. While most microwaves are probably fine, a cheap discount microwave may not withstand the rigors of the road. Worst case scenario it could present a fire hazard if it undergoes enough on-the-road damage.

Instead of a cheap microwave, invest in an RV microwave that's manufactured specifically for RVs. These RV microwaves are built tougher to withstand all the bouncing they receive as you travel. They are warranted for use in RVs, whereas some other microwave manufacturers do not honor microwave warranties if they are used in RVs. If you do choose to use a countertop microwave in your RV, make sure to anchor it down somehow so that it doesn't go flying across your coach when you come to an abrupt stop.

If you don't have an RV generator, don't despair. You can still do quite a bit of cooking in your RV kitchen. Many RV stoves and ovens run on propane, so you can still use them to prepare a wide variety of meals. If you do have an RV generator, then you can use all the appliances in your kitchen, as long as your RV generator doesn't run out of fuel. Make sure your RV generator is full when you leave for your trip, and top it off along the way just to make sure.

Dry camping without an RV generator or hook-ups takes a little more planning, but you can still prepare good, hearty meals. Use the fire pit at your campsite for grilling and roasting, and use ready-made foods, such as cereals, fruit and crackers for breakfast and lunch. Be sure to plan your meals ahead so that you know what foods to bring along and what campgrounds may not provide hookups. Or, if you just can't resist having fancy meals no matter the occasion, invest in a large RV generator to ensure you can cook gourmet meals wherever your vacation may take you!